What is 4G - A Summary of Benefits

Details

Written by Chris Jones

Published: 18 December 2013

Fourth Generation Mobile Phone Technology

4G is the fourth generation of mobile phone technology. 4G provides mobile ultra-broadband internet access to laptops and smartphones and other mobile devices. 2G technology was suitable for making calls and texts, 3G made it possible to connect to the internet via our mobile phones and 4G should make it easier to access the web via smartphones, tablets and laptops, giving a speed similar to that you would normally use in the home, meaning you will be able to access videos, mapping and social networks easier and much quicker whilst out and about.

4G Roll Out

In the UK, EE was the first mobile phone provider to be allowed to roll out 4G, in eleven cities to begin with. The network hopes to reach 70% of the UK by the end of this year and 98% by the end of 2014. Other telecoms companies, such as O2, Vodafone and ‘3’ have also introduced 4G to their networks.

However, you do need to a compatible handset in order to use and benefit from 4G services. The most common compatible handsets are the iPhone 5 and the Samsung Galaxy S3. However, as the service is introduced more widely, there is sure to be an influx of compatible handsets on the market within the next few months.

Benefits of 4G.

Download speeds will be much quicker – five times quicker on average.

Music downloads will take approximately 3 minutes as opposed to 20 minutes on 3G.

Buffering will be a thing of the past, with videos and podcasts being streamed immediately.

Website data will load much quicker.

Apps will work more smoothly, especially those that require maps, which will be much easier to navigate and zooming will be much quicker.

Faster speeds means that uploads onto social networking sites will also be maximised.

In the business industry 4G and the faster download and streaming speed it brings, means that:-

Working remotely and ‘on the go’ will be more beneficial to businesses and also workers commuting.

Video conferencing will be in real time, and workers will be able to hold buffer-free conversations.

Connections are more reliable with 4G.

Marketing can be more effective, showing your customers your product in real time and perhaps hosting a skype-sell, where you can host live demonstrations online.

Documents and orders can be digitised and stored virtually, making it easier to access samples to show clients whilst at meetings or sales pitches etc.

4G can support some apps, such as iVend, where stock checking is an important factor of the working day, especially in the market-trading line of work. Weather apps are also a useful part of predicting custom and footfall.

Facetime also gives businesses the opportunity to connect with clients and customers live, talking them through, or helping them to identify, a problem.

Of course, the above bullet points are only the tip of the ice-berg, if you are using 4G in your line of work, we would love to hear from you in the comments section.

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